Somalia plan to increase number of players from its Diaspora

The long-awaited dreams have come true after a football team from Somali Diaspora community in the Southeastern Australian city of Melbourne, arrived in the country ahead of the launch of the first Somali Diaspora football event to be organized in the country in the summer of 2018.

The team arrived in the country on 18th of
November and upon arrival at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport,
they were warmly received by the deputy Mayor of the capital, Abdullahi Elmi
Ereg and Somali Football Federation senior vice president, Ali Abdi Mohamed.

Somali Football Federation president, Abdiqani Said Arab,
thanked the Mayor of the capital Thabet Abdi Mohamed, for hosting the team in
one of the country’s best hotels and which is even located in a stone’s throw
away from Stadium Banadir where the Somali Football Federation has organized
three friendly matches that the Diaspora team played against three teams in the
country. In one of the matches it clashed against national league side Banadir
Sports Club who defeated the expatriates’ team 2-1on November 22nd.

"It was our intention to invite teams from the Somali
communities in London and Toronto in 2016, but due to the timing, we were
unable to make that happen. The team from Somali community in Melbourne has been
very fortunate to become the first Somali Diaspora team to be invited to the
country. On behalf of the entire Somali Football Family, I would like to acclaim
the Mayor of Mogadishu, Thabet Abdi Mohamed for his contribution to the game”
SFF president, Abdiqani Said Arab, said in a statement.

Most of the team players were born abroad and have never
seen Somalia, so president Abdiqani Said Arab, said that the arrival of football
teams from the Somali Diaspora across the world is an opportunity for them to
learn about their country and integrate with their people. So far we have been
informed that some of them made friends here” the president added.

"Another main objective for having football teams from
the Somali Diaspora communities here in the country is that the SFF wants to
hunt the talented players to include them into the national team. Previously we
had our technical representatives in many countries whose job is to recruit footballers
for the national team from the Diaspora, more notably the London-based coach
Abdirashid Islow. They did well and they will continue their duties” the
president noted in his statement.

"This is a starting point and it will continue. Once
again thanks to the mayor of the capital, Thabet Abdi Mohamed for his promise
to pay all expenses for the summer 2018 tournament for football teams form
Somali Diaspora across the world that will be held in Mogadishu. The Mayor’s
office and the SFF are having a very healthy cooperative relationship and such
beautiful cooperation will continue to grow” president Abdiqani Said Arab, said
in his statement. Here are the fixtures and results of the friendly matches
the Somali Diaspora team had with teams based in the country.